A Bristol restaurant which opened during the coronavirus pandemic has been added to the prestigious Michelin Guide.
Pony Bistro opened in May 2021, tucked away behind Bristol Beer Factory's taproom on North Street.
It's headed up by Josh Eggleton, whose portfolio includes The Kensington, Salt & Malt and the Breaking Bread pop-up, alongside his sister Holly.
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The esteemed local chef held a Michelin star at The Pony & Trap in Chew Magna, but lost it when the gastropub changed its focus amid the pandemic. It is set to reopen as a wedding venue, cookery school and restaurant called The Pony Chew Valley in spring.
And although The Pony Bistro hasn't been recognised with a star just yet, the Eggleton siblings will surely be encouraged that Michelin's inspectors have deemed it worthy of an entry into the 2022 guide - even if Josh said he was "not disappointed" about losing the star.
Michelin's description of The Pony Bistro reads: "The team behind the Pony & Trap have moved from the country into the city, settling down in a southern neighbourhood beside the Bristol Beer Factory Brewery.
Read more: Bristol's Michelin-starred restaurants and where to find them
"The place has a homely, unfussy style and offers a set priced menu of wholesome, flavour-packed dishes; be sure to try the ‘Beer Factory’ tiramisu."
All restaurants entering the guide without a star or Bib Gourmand - the second-highest accolade - are recognised as 'Michelin listed' after the guide scrapped the Plate distinction. Being featured in the guide in any form is highly commendable and something all chefs aim for.
Josh Eggleton's restaurant joins 14 other Bristol restaurants in the guide.
The nine Michelin-listed restaurants are Bokman, The Lido, Klosterhaus, Adelina Yard, Tare, Marmo, Gambas and Wilson's, while Root and Box-E both have a Bib Gourmand.
Casamia, Bulrush and Paco Tapas are the city's three Michelin-starred establishments, which have all retained their stars in 2022.
Offering an all-day menu focusing on locally-sourced produce, the Eggletons describe their south Bristol bistro as "a modern British restaurant full of all the charm, warmth and deliciousness of the original The Pony & Trap".
Main courses on the menu include beef short-rib with oak smoked glaze, horseradish puree and spinach; whole turbot to share and 'hen of the woods' with artichoke tartare and mushroom sauce.
The tasting menu costs £47.50 for four courses, excluding drinks, with dessert options including chocolate mousse and lemon trifle.
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